Review Process

Projects involving animal subjects require time for approval. Start your submission in eProtocol early! For animal researchers, the following tips are important. If you aren’t sure if your project requires IACUC approval, contact the IACUC Office staff.

1. Contact the IACUC Office first

You are busy. We work with researchers and read protocols every day. Let us help you to properly describe your procedures, recommend anesthesia and analgesia, procedure monitoring parameters, and study-related endpoints. We can even help you navigate the electronic protocol system.

2. Ensure that all online training obligations for protocol personnel are complete

An IACUC protocol cannot be approved until all online training obligations have been met for all personnel listed on the protocol.  Ensure that all personnel, including students, have completed the necessary training requirements.

3. Use clear, non-scientific language in your protocol

Our reviewers are smart people who are interested in science and used to reading IACUC protocols, but they may not be experts in your field of study. Your IACUC reviewers may be faculty scientists, veterinarians, or non-scientists. Avoid abbreviations and specific technical terms as much as possible.

4. List the animal numbers required and justify them

Be sure to account for all animals that you plan to use, including animal bred but not needed for research. You will also want to specify the different groups, number per group, and provide justification for how the number of animals was determined.

5. Provide all the details of all procedures

Properly describe, in detail, all the non-surgical and surgical procedures from start to finish – as if you were writing a standard operating procedure guide. Make sure to list any possible side effects or adverse effects related to the procedures, how the animals will be monitored for pain and distress, and list the criteria that will be used to determine that animals must be removed from the study and euthanized.

6. Remember to include a timeline for each aim or objective

The IACUC must be able to clearly follow an animal through each aim or objective of the protocol from start to finish or euthanasia. Clear and detailed timelines are critically important. Remember to include how many procedures an animal may undergo.